This week, a new coalition of pork companies, retailers, and hog farmers from across the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C., to host a Hill briefing supporting animal welfare and opposing the controversial Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act. The coalition also met with Congress members to highlight the risks of the EATS Act to farmers, businesses, voters, and consumers.
If included in the Farm Bill, the EATS Act would reverse California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3, two laws that set animal welfare standards. Rolling back these laws would harm farmers, businesses, and consumers, according to the coalition.
Key organizers included crate-free pork producers True Story Foods, Niman Ranch, and ButcherBox, along with independent hog farmers. During the event, attendees enjoyed Proposition 12-certified meats from Niman Ranch and True Story Foods.
These businesses and farms support crate-free pork production and have benefited economically from California’s Prop 12 and Massachusetts’ Q3, which require pork sold in these states to come from farms that give pregnant pigs enough space to move freely. The coalition came together to offer an alternative to the dominant industrial pork sector narrative, stressing the harm they would face if EATS moves forward.
“I’ve raised pigs without crates my whole life, and it’s frustrating that Congress might overturn something supported by voters and upheld by the Supreme Court,” said Ron Mardesen, an Iowa farmer with Niman Ranch. “It’s unfair to farmers, animals, and consumers who want better animal welfare.”
The EATS Act would not only roll back voter-supported state laws but also harm farmers who have invested in compliance with Prop 12. Phil Gatto, CEO of True Story Foods, said their farmers have spent millions to comply with Prop 12, and the EATS Act threatens their livelihoods. “This isn’t just about humane practices—it’s about protecting our farmers’ investments and the values our consumers believe in.”
Opposition to the EATS Act has grown, including Niman Ranch’s Amicus Brief cited in the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop 12 and a letter to Congress signed by 24 companies, including Whole Foods, Perdue, Applegate, Thrive Market, and Bon Appetit Management Company.
Mike Salguero, CEO of ButcherBox, emphasized the importance of animal welfare to American consumers, stating, “There’s a growing market for well-raised animals. The EATS Act denies consumers the choice to support these welfare standards, especially those who voted for them.”
